Hatsinthebelfry

Top Hats and Fedoras – Presidential Inauguration or Pop Culture Awards Show?

While the debate continues whether or not gentlemen’s hats have disappeared from the political spectrum for good, pop culture icons like British comedian Russell Brand and singer Ne-Yo showed us traditional men’s hats are not lost forever.

The long awaited 2009 MTV Video Music Awards aired just over a week ago, and not to anyone’s surprise there were as many unexpected outbursts and actions this year as in years past. Thank you, Kanye West, for rushing the stage during Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video. We now have more to talk about than your collection of white sunglasses.

But what I look forward to every year with the MTV VMA’s is all of the new styles. No other awards show truly welcomes the originality of each artist’s fashion sense. From classy evening gowns to over-the-top lace body suits that cover your face (Lady Gaga wins the award for most outrageous!) we’re always in for a treat.

Hosting the awards for the second year in a row, Russell Brand did not disappoint with his edgy British style. Dressed with ultra-skinny pants, he adorned his attire with a top hat! Brand offered a new spin on this traditionally old men’s hat to give pop culture a look at how we can take something from the past and turn it into a piece that works with fashion today.

Then of course, all eyes turned to Ne-Yo as a performer and presenter this year. Known for his trendy headwear, Ne-Yo stood true to his style in a variety of fedora hats. Almost always topping his look with black hats, he looks stylish and sexy with the traditional men’s hat turned into a trendy compliment for all his clothes. Now, if the fedora could make all men look as good as Ne-Yo, that would be perfect!

After an exciting evening of performances and awards, we have seen some interesting changes from some artists and classics that work so well they need not be changed. Whether you want the edgy style of Russell Brand or sultry style of Ne-Yo, be sure to top it off with a hat!

-Katie

Yeah It’s Hot, But Why…?

Social influence is an amazing thing. Even skinny jeans are in style…seriously.

Think about any fad that you’ve ever fallen into. Think about how quickly you fall out of them. Everyone loves to think that they have their own style, but chances are, there was someone doing it before you were. The seemingly contradictory nature of human beings to want to both fit in and stand out at the same time is fascinating.

Most people can attribute their sense of style to a single person or group. I grew up in Jersey City, NJ. Whether they weren’t important enough for me to notice, or they simply were not around, I almost NEVER saw people wearing hats. There were baseball caps, which eventually evolved into fitted ball caps & flat brims, but no fedoras or pub caps. Six years later, hats are a regular part of my style. I’m a little older, more mature than I was back then, but I am basically the same person. Yet my style has changed dramatically since then. Why?

I’m sure maturity played a part in it. My surroundings and social situations have changed as well. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t attribute working in the fashion business to my evolution in style! Still, something in the fashion and pop culture world has definitely changed in recent years. People like Brad Pitt, Ne-Yo, Mary J. Blige, etc. have all made it cool to wear hats again. Don’t get me wrong, the Run DMC’s and LL Cool J’s of the world were doing it before these guys, but hats weren’t nearly as mainstream back then as they are now, and you can see it in every mall that you walk into today. Athletic stores like Lids and Nike have made room on their shelves for classic style over fitted ball caps. MetroPark, H&M, and Urban Outfitters are pushing hats as a part of the contemporary and urban chic appeal. To these companies, selling style is essential, and hats have become a staple part of that movement.

I flip through some pubs and ivy caps to find one that coordinates with what I’m wearing. The first time I ever walked into a hat store and tried one on, something didn’t fit when I looked in the mirror. Nowadays, it all seems to blend so nicely. Style is cyclical. Who knows how long this trend will last. What I’ve come to find out about hat wearers, though, is that once you’ve sold them on one hat, they’re going to be hat wearers for life. It’s not because hats are cool. It’s because hats are cool to us.

- James

And They’re Off! - The Kentucky Derby, Still Going Strong

I’ve never been a fan of horse racing, but I am a fan of sports in general. So if the Big Browns of the racing world are going for the Triple Crown, I’ll keep an eye out. That being said, I’ve always been somewhat fascinated with the Kentucky Derby. The pageantry and grand scale of the event is probably unlike any other annual event in the United States.

During tough economic times like this, I couldn’t help but wonder what that would mean for the Derby (especially since the company that owns Pimlico (Preakness) just recently filed for bankruptcy).  Bill Simmons, one of my favorite ESPN columnists, wrote an article in February about the toned-down feel of this year’s NBA All Star weekend. He attributed much of the lack of celebrity and extravagant spending to the state of our economy.

Curious about how this recession could effect the Kentucky Derby, I looked for some insight from famed hat designer Christine A. Moore. Christine has been designing and making Derby-style hats for over 15 years, and has been commissioned as the official milliner for this year’s Derby. To my surprise, Christine told me that designer hats were still in demand, corporate boxes are on a waiting list at Churchill Downs, and individual ticket sales were strong. Louisville’s major fashion magazine, Her Scene, even added 17 more pages to accommodate for all the advertisers!

After thinking about what she said, it makes a lot of sense. What’s a better way to step outside yourself for one day than to get dressed up and enjoy the pageantry of the Derby? People who celebrate the Derby year after year have been saving up money for their outfit and hat. If you can’t afford to go to the Derby (most people can’t!), Derby parties are always a fun thing to put together.

So men, grab a straw boater, fedora, or top hat. Women, don the beautiful big brims and classic cloches. Get some appetizers, fix a couple of mint juleps (4 mint sprigs, 2 1/2oz bourbon whiskey, 1 tsp powder sugar, and 2 tsp water), and enjoy the races!

- James

Fedoras Are Back with the 2009 Presidential Inauguration

Fedora hats made an inaugural comeback as the number dressing the heads of some of the Nation’s best and most respected leaders and artists at this year’s Presidential Inauguration was higher than years past.

As the ceremony unfolded, fedoras were seen on the heads of former Vice President Dick Cheney and the Reverend Jesse Jackson. During the Inaugural luncheon, Senator Ted Kennedy entered with a vibrant blue scarf and traditional black fedora.  What’s more, actors and musicians joined the fedora frenzy as Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas, singer Kid Rock, and actress Rosanna Arquette sported fedora styles to the many Inaugural balls.

While the discussion over whether or not President John F. Kennedy contributed to the demise of the classic fedora continues, it became obvious these hats are here to stay as a sea of fedoras graced the 2009 Presidential Inauguration ceremony and celebrations.

Looking to add one of these stylish toppers to your wardrobe? You’ve come to the right place. With a wide variety of classic and trendy styles, our collection of fedora hats is unsurpassed.  From warm styles to close out the cold weather days or fresh fedora hats for spring.